Cambridge ielts 1-15 series reading answers explained

→ Answer: ears – (insulating) fat 
21. Answer: (insulating) fat
Key words: mammoth-like features
As mentioned earlier, multiple adaptations are necessary for the elephant to survive in the tundra, 
including “smaller ears, thicker hair, and extra insulation fat”, which are traits found in the woolly 
mammoth. 

reduced size = smaller 

more = extra 
Therefore, the adaptations can be rewritten as “ears” of reduced size and more “insulation fat”. Thus, 
“ears” and “insulation fat” are respectively filled in gaps 20 and 21. 
22. Answer: (carbon) emissions
Key words: repopulating, environment

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496 
In paragraph E, the repopulation of the tundra with large mammals (which refers to mammoths and 
Asian elephants) might encourage grass growth, which would “reduce temperatures, and mitigate 
emissions from melting permafrost”. 
Thus, it means that repopulating the tundra could help decrease “emissions”, or specifically “carbon 
emissions” in the preceding sentence. Therefore, “(carbon) emissions” is the answer. 

decrease = mitigate 
QUESTIONS 23 – 26: LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS 
(QUESTIONS 23-26) AND THE LIST OF PEOPLE BELOW. 
23. Answer: B
Key words: reproducing an extinct species, improve, particular species
Among multiple benefits from reintroducing an extinct species, one of them, which is improving the 
health of a particular species living in a certain area (the island of Tasmania) is mentioned in paragraph 
B. Specifically, Michael Archer refers to the example of how the reintroduction of the thylacine would 
have helped the Tasmanian devils avoid the threats from the facial tumour syndrome, which 
dangerously affects their health. Therefore, B is the answer here, 
24. Answer: C